Acoustic artists have always held a special place in my heart. Any musician can grab an acoustic guitar a transform a song they've written into a solo ballad, but doing it well is something that's always been impressive for me. The rawness of a stripped-down piece of music has always been easy for me to attach to. Here are 8 solo-acoustic artists making lots of noise around the country.
1. Julien Baker
Julien Baker is a name lots of people know by now, and if you don't you really ought to. "Sprained Ankle" is an album depicting heartbreak, being stuck in your own head, and abandonment in its purest form. Here is the title track from the album.
2. Casey Bolles
From Buffalo, New York, Casey Bolles was quite a surprise as I was offered him to open a show I had booked and was unlike anything I had ever seen. Bolles put out his EP "Freshman" via Pure noise Records. Check out "Potential" from the album here.
3. Tanner Swift
No, not Taylor Swift, Tanner Swift. I won't lie, I found Tanner from the suggested Artists section of Spotify, and I'm so glad I did. The first time I listened to Tanner, it put me into a pile of tears and I had to mop myself off of the floor. Nothing else really needs to be said, just listen to his song "Wait" from his EP "I'm Losing Friends".
4. Mat Kerekes
If this name seems familiar it's probably because it is. Other than fronting the widely known band 'Citizen', Mat has a solo project in which he recently released a full length through. While the new album titled "Luna & The Wild Blue Everything" is comprised of full band instruments, it carries a very folky acoustic vibe to it that has the same mesmerizing emotion packed vocals as a Citizen song but with enough of a twist to separate the two. Here's one of the singles off of the new album from Mat.
5. Koji
Human Rights Activists and solo artist Koji from Philadelphia is someone very close to my heart. I've booked numerous shows with Koji and had plenty of talks with him, and every time I can feel everyone in the room leave with a sense of motivation and love in their hearts. Koji released this song last Spring and the proceeds went to the Bernie Sanders campaign in attempts. Koji's voice and works with countless organizations will always be heard far and wide through his message of positivity.
6. Will Deely
From Columbus, Ohio, Will Deely fits perfectly into a phenomenal music community and is slowly pushing it further from home with his relaxing ballads.
7. Chase Huglin
From Fort Wayne, Indiana, Chase Huglin recently released his debut full-length album via InVogue Records titled "You Deserve An Island". The record was written on heartbreak and the loss of his mother in February of this year. While chase is an acoustic artist, he's able to bring something extra to the table that distances himself from others. Here's his single "Niagara" off of the album.
8. Many Rooms
Many Rooms is a project from Columbus, Ohio created by Bri Hunt. Bri released her EP "Hollow Body" through Other People Records which details a lot of pain in Hunt's life, but always followed with a hopeful undertone through her relationship with God. "Hollow Body" is about feeling vulnerability and understanding it creates who you are as a person. Here is the title track from the EP "The Father Complex".
